Wig-frame



(No Model.)

A. D. BARRETT.

WIG FRAME No. 593,560. Patented Nov. 16, 1897.

WM a wiz'ness'e S.

amrn y UNITED STATES ADDISON D. BARRETT, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

PATENT OFFICE.

WlG-FRAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,560, dated November 16, 1897. Application filed September 8, 1897. Serial No. 650,959. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADDISON D. BARRETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wig-Frames; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to wigs, and more es-' pecially to frames therefor; audit contemplates the provision of a metallic wig-frame which maybe readily made to conform to the shape of the head and one which is so constructed as to be secured of itself on the head, so as not to be liable to casual displacement or movement, and which, in preference, is mainly composed of aluminium, such metal being peculiarly adapted to the purpose because it is light, is pliable, so as to permit of the frame being shaped to the head, and is not liable to be corroded or otherwise effected by perspiration.

With the foregoing in view the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective View of my improved wig-frame. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the wig with the hair or wig proper partly broken away to illustrate the textile, preferably silk, coverings of the frame-strips.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the wig-frame.

B designates the coverings for the framestrips, which are preferably of silk and may be placed and suitably secured on said framestrips before or after the frame is shaped to the head, as desired, and G designates the wig proper, which may be arranged over the 'frame and connected to the coverings B in any suitable manner.

The frame A is preferably formed of aluminium, as stated, because such metal is very light, soft, and pliable, so as to permit of the frame being readily shaped to the head, and not being subject to corrosion is not liable to discolor or poison the scalp of the person wearing the frame, all of Which are material and important advantages. The said frame A in the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the crown-stripe, which describes a large oval loop I), designed to rest upon the top of the head, and a'narrow loop 0, which rests within the loop I) at the longitudinal center of the frame or at any desired point on either side of the longitudinal center, as desired, and is designed to permit free parting of the hair at such point, the basestrip (1, which is connected at its ends to the crown-strip a at about the points shown, the transverse strips e, which are connected at one end to the portions of the strip a forming the loop I) and at their other ends to the portions of said strip forming the loop 0, the longitudinal strip f, which is connected to the strip a at two points and is also connected to the strip d and one of the strips 6, the upright strips g, which connect the strip 61 and the portions of the strip a forming the loop I), and fine-wire stays h, which connect the portions of the strip a forming the opposite sides of the loop 0, as shown. Any suitable flexible connection may be employed to connect such portions of the strip a; but I prefer to employ the stays h, inasmuch as they serve to hold the said portions apart and thereby prevent wrinkling of the wig.

D designates a steel spring which is designed and adapted to secure the frame on the head. This spring 1) is connected at its ends to the upright end portions of the strip d and at intermediate points of its length to the strips g, and it is therefore adapted to embrace and exert pressure against the head and thereby prevent the frame from falling or being displaced from the head, irrespective of the position of the same. The pressure of the said spring against the head is ofiset by the pliable and soft metal frame, the comparative strength of the spring and frame being such that the frame counteracts and distributes the pressure, so as to prevent it from being unpleasant to the wearer of the wig. Such pressure may also be regulated by manipulating the frame, it being obvious that as the frame is enlarged or expanded the pressure of the spring will be diminished, while when said frame is contracted or reduced in size the pressure of the spring will be increased.

A wig-frame formed as described may be readily bent and worked so as to closely conform to and snugly fit a head no matter what the peculiarities of the same. Such frame is also very light, but when it is properly placed in position upon the head the spring D will effectually prevent its displacement and will also prevent it from leaving the position in which it is originally placed.

In virtue of the soft and pliable metal frame being employed in conjunction with the spring the pressure of the spring is prevented from becoming unpleasant and painful to the wearer of the wig, as before described. This is an important advantage and a desideratum in this class of devices, as springs have heretofore proved to be impracticable for the purpose because of the discomfort and pain they inflict upon the wearer of the wig.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The wig-frame formed of soft and pliable metal and comprising a crown-strip describing an oval loop, the base-strip having the upwardly-extending branches at its ends connected to the crown-strip adjacent to the front of the frame, and the upright strips connectwith the spring connected at its ends to the upwardly-extending branches of the basestrip and at intervals in its length to the upright strips, whereby when the frame is expanded the pressure of the spring against the head is diminished, while, when said frame is contracted or reduced in size, the pressure of the spring against the head is increased, substantially as specified.

2. A wig-frame formed of soft and pliable metal and comprising the crown-strip describing the oval loop and the narrow elongated loop within the oval loop, suitable means for connecting the portions of the crown-strip forming the opposite sides of the elongated loop, the base-strip having the upwardly-extending branches at its ends connected to the crown-strip adjacent to the front of the frame,

and the upwardly-extending branches of the 45 base-strip and at intervals to the upright strips, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADDISON D. BARRETT.

Witnesses:

J. A. COLEMAN, J r., W. S. WILLIAMS. 

